Xwashing-machine



UNITED STATES PATENT FFTCE,

C. CARTER, OF FRANKLIN CENTER, IOYVA.

WASHING-MACHINE.

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, C. CARTER, of Frank- `Fig 2, Fig. 2, is a vertical central section of ditto, the line y, y, Fig. 1, indicating the plane of section.

Similar letters of reference in both views indicate corresponding parts.

This inventio-n consists in the arrangement of a vertically slotted rotary central arbor in combination with a vertically sliding cross-armed rotary agitator and with balls floating in a tub with a corrugated bottom and sides in such a manner, that said agitator can be raised or lowered during the operation according to the quantity of clothes and of water in the tub and according to the larger or smaller strain which it is desired to exert on the upper 0r lower sides of the clothes and that by rotating said agitator the clothes are brought in contact with the corrugated bottoni and sides of the tub below and with the floating balls above, whereby the same are cleaned with very little exertion in a very short time.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation with reference to the drawing.

The tub A, the form and size of which is that of an ordinary wash-tub, is provided with a corrugated bottom and its inside circumference is also made corrugated to about two thirds of its depth from the bot-,

tom upward. The center of the bottom forms a step for the vertical arbor B, which is journaled in a cross-bar C. This crossbar is secured to the top edge of the tub by means of projecting lugs a., with recesses to receive the ends of the cross-bar and stirrups Z), which are hinged to the sides of the lugs a, serve to fasten the cross-bar firmly down in the recesses of said lugs, by turning down the stirrups Z), the cross-bar together with the arbor B, can be taken out.

That portion of the arbor B, between the cross-bar and the bottom of the tnb is square, thus forming a shoulder whichprevents a longitudinal motion of said arbor, and the arbor itself is hollow, to admit the stem c. of the agitator D. The four arms (l. of the agitator extend through slots e. in the sides of the lower four sided portion of the arbor B. nearly to the inner circumference of the tub, and the handle of the agitator passes through a slot g. in th-e upper round part of the arbor, which slot at the same time forms the guide for said handle so as to allow the agitator to rise and fall. The upper end ofl the arbor B. is provided with two recesses z. which serve to retain the handle with the agitator when the same is raised up and presses slightly on one side or on the other.

A number of balls E. of wood or other suitable material which are intended to float lon the water in the tub, assist in washing the clothes.

The operation is as follows; A sufcient quantity of water is poured into the tub to bring the balls on a level with the upper ends of the corrugations on the circumference of the tub, and after the clothes are pnt in, a reciprocating rotary motion is i1nparted to the agitator by means of the handle f. The clothes wrap themselves around the arms of the agitator and their lower sides are cleaned by being rubbed against the corrugated bottom of the tub while their outsides come in contact with the corrugated circumference and their upper sides are rubbed against the balls floating on the top of the water. It is obvious that by raising or depressing the agitator either the upper or the lower sides of the clothes can be rubbed with more or less intensity as may be desired, while the motion of the water in the tub materially assists in removing the dirt, so that a large quantity of clothes can be cleaned with little exertion in a short time. V'Vhen it is desired to wring the clothes the agitator is suspended from the recesses' in the top of the central arbor and when it iS bination With the rising and falling cross- 10 armed agitator D. tub A. and balls E. constructed and operating in the rnanner and for the purpose herein specied.

C. CARTER.

Witnesses AUGUSTUS EHINGER, GEORGE HENDERSON. 

